TODAY millions of people across the world will be celebrating Chinese New Year.

The festival usually includes parades and family get togethers but this year will be significantly different, with the pandemic preventing usual celebrations.

Here is everything you need to know about Chinese New Year:

What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year, is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.

When is Chinese New Year?

This year, Chinese New Year falls today, February 12.

The date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar, so each year the New Year in China falls on different dates usually between January 21 and February 20.

How do people celebrate?

Members of the Chinese community across the world typically decorate their homes after a deep clean in the lucky colour red-which is believed to bring good fortune.

Other traditions include setting off fireworks, and giving red envelopes of ‘lucky money’ to children.

What is the Year of the Ox?

The years on the Chinese calendar are divided into 12-year zodiac cycles.

In order, the zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.

This year is the year of the Ox, in Chinese culture, the Ox is a valued animal because of its role in agriculture.

Those born during the year of the Ox are thought to be hard workers in the background, intelligent and reliable, but never demanding praise.